As you would expect, many spa resorts offer swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and Jacuzzis, as well as quiet places to relax and meditate, however there are also several treatments that are uniquely Polish, and which are not so widely available outside of Poland. For instance, kryotherapy involves spending 2-3 minutes in a chamber where the atmosphere is carefully controlled and the temperature is chilled to -135°C. While this may seem extreme, the atmosphere is kept dry, which makes it bearable and you emerge glowing and feeling energised. It has been proven to be beneficial in boosting the immune system and is commonly used to treat sports injuries, although it has also been reported to ease conditions as diverse as arthritis, cellulite and stress.
For a more gentle form of spa therapy, you might like to try a salt cave: these are naturally occurring in certain parts of Poland, with the most famous example being found in Wielieczka, near Kraków. The iodised atmosphere within these salt caves has been proven to be beneficial in easing thyroid and bronchial conditions. Some spa resorts have successfully recreated them within their resorts in order to harness these healing benefits.
Here are the most popular Spa Treatments in Poland:
Hydro-massage (hydromasaż) – pressurised water jets are used to massage the body. This relaxes tense muscles, increases blood flow to tissues, and increases the lymph flow.
Therapeutic mud treatments (błote zabiegi lecznicze) – specific parts of the body are covered with a mud pack of set temperature and thickness for deep-warming of the body, achieving an anti-inflammatory, regenerating and anti-bacterial effect.
Classic massage (masaż klasyczny) – applied to the whole body or locally, massage involves a specific succession of such techniques as stroking, and kneading. It improves circulation, increases tissue elasticity, relaxes tense muscles, and improves lymph circulation.
Magneto-therapy (magnetoterapia) – treatment with a variable magnetic field improves peripheral circulation, accelerates regeneration processes such as healing of wounds and fractures, and has a painkilling, anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.
Power showers (prysznice z hydromasażem) – a shower in water of varying pressure and temperature stimulates circulation, which has a calming effect and helps build up immunity.
Salt Caves (jaskinie solne) – relaxing in pure air saturated with therapeutic sodium chloride as well as magnesium and calcium ions has been reported to ease conditions such as bronchitis and rheumatism.
Cryotherapy (krioterapia) – the stimulating effects of extremely low temperatures, from -120°C, achieved using liquid nitrogen. This acts on the body’s surface for 2-3 minutes, and causes a defensive reaction, leading to a painkilling, swelling-reducing and anti-inflammatory effect.
Definitely try at least one of these when you are in Poland!
Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)
